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Volume: 123 No. 151, Wednesday, July 1, 2026
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MAN ACCUSED OF RAPE OF HIS 91-YEAR-OLD MOTHER WORKS MINISTER URGES DRIVERS TO SLOW DOWN
54-year-old defendant not required to enter plea on charge of incest By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A MAN accused of sexually assaulting his 91-year-old mother at their Mount Royal Avenue home last week was remanded to prison yesterday. Prosecutors allege the 54-year-old defendant, whose name is being withheld to protect the identity of the complainant, raped his elderly mother around 5am on June 24. The accused was not required to enter a plea to incest before acting Chief
Magistrate Ancella Evans. The defendant appeared calm during his arraignment. He was informed that his matter would proceed to the Supreme Court through a voluntary bill of indictment. The accused was also informed of his right to apply for bail in the higher court. He was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until service of his VBI on October 8. Inspector Deon Barr prosecuted the case, while Fedner Dorestal represented the accused.
Missing 19-year-old ID’d as fourth victim MINISTER of Works and Family Island Affairs Clay Sweeting. By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net SEVEN people have been killed in traffic accidents across The Bahamas since Saturday, with Works Minister
Clay Sweeting urging motorists to slow down as families mourn one of the deadliest stretches on the country’s roads in years. Mr Sweeting made the appeal when questioned about the state of Shirley Street, where four young women
were killed early Sunday after a car carrying eight people slammed into a tree near Church Street. The crash had sparked questions about road conditions in the area, but ROADS - SEE PAGE THREE
By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net A FAMILY that spent hours searching for missing 19-year-old Evalena Johnson learned yesterday that she was the fourth young woman killed in Sunday’s devastating Shirley Street crash. Police confirmed that
Evalena, who had been reported missing after relatives said they had not seen or heard from her since Saturday, was among the victims of the horrific accident that killed Diamond Stubbs, 17, Betrica Brown, 19, and Stania Webb, 19. Evalena’s family identified her body at Princess VICTIM - SEE PAGE THREE
EXPECTANT FATHER KILLED BEFORE MEETING FIRST SON By Jade Russell Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net
AH’DON RICHARDSON
DAYS after learning he was expecting a son, Ah’don Richardson was gunned down before he ever had the chance to hold his first child. His girlfriend, Launise Guerrier, said the couple learned on Saturday that
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
the baby she is carrying is a boy. By late Sunday night, she was receiving the call that shattered the future they had begun to imagine together. Richardson, 22, was fatally shot shortly before 1am on Monday on Constitution Drive, off Foster Street. A 20-year-old DEATH - SEE PAGE TWO
PAGE 2, Wednesday, July 1, 2026
THE TRIBUNE
Girlfriend mourns ‘soulmate’ killed days after learning he’s having a baby boy DEATH from page one woman was also shot and injured. Ms Guerrier, 25, said she is 22 weeks pregnant and never expected to raise their child alone. She said the grief has been overwhelming, especially because her pregnancy is high-risk. “I don’t know if it was God, but I went and took my scan,” she said. “When I told him the gender, he was excited, because it was a boy. He was like oh ‘I’m going to teach my son how to fight, how to defend
himself.’” Richardson had been eager to become a first-time father, but his journey into fatherhood was cut short before it began. Late on Sunday night, Ms Guerrier was babysitting at home when Richardson’s sister called her crying. She soon learned that he had been killed. Still reeling from the news, she said the reality of his death became more painful when she saw a video circulating on social media. “I saw the video of them actually taking his body out of the car,” she said. “That
literally teared me down.” According to police, ShotSpotter technology detected multiple gunshots shortly before 1am, prompting officers to respond to Constitution Drive. Police found Richardson unresponsive in the driver’s seat of a silver Suzuki Swift. He had multiple gunshot wounds. Emergency Medical Services personnel examined him and confirmed he showed no signs of life. Police said the 20-yearold woman sustained gunshot wounds to her upper right thigh and abdomen. She remains in stable
AH’DON RICHARDSON
AH’DON RICHARDSON
condition. According to police, Richardson and the woman had just arrived at a residence on Constitution Drive when she got out of the vehicle and entered the home. As she returned to the car, the occupants of a white Japanese-model vehicle approached and opened fire before fleeing south along Foster Street, police said. Ms Guerrier said the injured woman is the girlfriend of Richardson’s sister and that they had been visiting a relative’s home. She said Richardson had never expressed fear for his life and did not have
a criminal background. She described him as kind, loving and non-violent. Richardson worked as a carpenter and dreamed of owning his own carpentry business and building a house. His killing has left Ms Guerrier mourning another devastating loss. She said she is still grieving the death of her daughter and is now facing the loss of her soulmate while trying to remain strong for her remaining children. “I’m not the judge. God forbid killing as one of his commandments. But for me to move on I have to forgive them,” she said,
referring to the killer. “It’s going to take a lot of time, because now that I have to grow a child up without a father. “There’s going to be questions like where’s my dad. And I have to explain to my child that hey your dad got killed.” Ms Guerrier said she and Richardson had been friends for years before they began dating last year. Their final conversation ended in an argument, something she is now struggling to process. “I feel hurt how we ended our conversation,” she said, adding she never imagined it would be their last.
Seven dead in four days as minister urges caution
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, July 1, 2026, PAGE 3
ROADS from page one Mr Sweeting said Shirley Street had already been identified for paving before the tragedy and argued that the recent spate of fatalities points to a wider problem with speed. He was defensive when asked about the timeline for completing roadworks on Shirley Street. “Families are mourning persons,” he told reporters. “Yesterday I spoke about this, and you’re trying to tailor me to the incident, asking me questions around that.” “You have families that are mourning five young ladies that have passed away with their life out of them. I don’t think it’s fair to me, to them, to anyone who has a child to try to tailor this tragedy to speak on who’s to blame, what’s to blame, because reality, yes, nobody who’s lost someone cares about how it happened.” “They’re concerned that the one they love isn’t there anymore. So, I don’t want you to draw me into something when yesterday I already told you I don’t think it’s fair to none of us.” Mr Sweeting said Shirley Street needs work, but stressed that deadly crashes have occurred across several islands. “Shirley Street is one of those areas that needs road work,” he said. “It has been on the agenda to pave even prior to any accidents, as well as other areas, you’ve seen a number of fatalities throughout the country. So, it isn’t just New Providence. We’ve seen fatalities in Abaco, Grand Bahama, Andros, and now another one this morning by Odyssey.” “This seems to be a national concern in regards to motorists and the speed that persons started driving, so I do caution persons to slow down a bit. We won’t want another situation where we have families mourning over these type of situations.” His comments came after a 23-year-old man died yesterday morning in a two-vehicle crash on Coral Harbour Road near Odyssey Aviation, the latest
FOUR girls killed in Sunday’s tragic car crash on Shirley Street. From left Betrica Brown, Stania Webb and Diamond Stubbs pictured above, and Evalena Johnson (see story at bottom of page.)
MINISTER OF WORKS AND FAMILY ISLAND AFFAIRS CLAY SWEETING traffic fatality in a grim four-day period. Speaking to reporters at the scene, Assistant Superintendent Lakeisha Sawyer said the victim’s vehicle spun before he was ejected. Based on the extent of the damage, investigators believe speed was a contributing factor in the crash. ASP Sawyer urged motorists to obey speed limits and follow road safety practices. Police said shortly before 7am, officers from the Western Division were alerted to the collision. When they arrived, they found two vehicles involved: a black 2016 Kia Sorento driven by a 53-year-old woman and a
blue Suzuki Swift with an unresponsive 23-year-old man inside. Emergency Medical Services personnel responded and pronounced the driver of the Suzuki Swift dead. Police believe the Kia Sorento was travelling north along Coral Harbour Road while the Suzuki Swift was travelling south when the vehicles collided. The driver of the Kia Sorento was taken to the hospital for medical treatment. Her condition was unknown up to press time. The crash marked the 36th traffic fatality for the year, according to The Tribune’s records. It followed three deadly
crashes since Saturday. On Saturday, 26-year-old Nica Julien died after the Ford Focus she was driving overturned and collided with a concrete utility pole on East Sunrise Highway in Grand Bahama. On Sunday, Diamond Stubbs, 17, Betrica Brown, 19, Stania Webb, 19, and Evalena Johnson, 19, were killed in a crash in the area of Shirley Street and Church Street. The vehicle was carrying eight occupants. Three men and another female occupant were taken to the hospital with injuries. Most of the group had known each other since childhood. On Monday, a 30-year-old
man was killed following a two-vehicle collision on Ernest Dean Highway in Spring City, Abaco. CCTV footage circulating on social media allegedly shows the moments leading up to the Shirley Street crash. The video appears to show a dark-coloured vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed along an otherwise empty road before striking a tree, causing it to snap and fall. Moments later, a man is seen emerging from the vehicle with his head slumped as he walks away. Two bystanders then approach the wrecked car to check on its occupants.
THE BODY of a man is taken from the scene on Coral Harbour Road after he became the seventh traffic fatality since Saturday. Photo: Chappell Whyms Jr
Police have not publicly confirmed the authenticity of the footage as investigations continue. Ahead of a Cabinet meeting, Mr Sweeting said the Ministry of Works has aggressively expanded road paving efforts across New Providence over the past two years, noting that the island has more than 1,000 miles of roads requiring maintenance. He said the government has entered into a public-private partnership with Baha Mix and engaged multiple contractors. “We’ve also contracted numerous small contractors. I think up to 12 have been paving from January to now throughout New Providence,” he said. “We’ll continue our aggressive road campaign.” Mr Sweeting acknowledged frustration over potholes and deteriorating road conditions, particularly during the rainy season, but said the ministry is working to improve road maintenance. “In the next six months, within six months, you’ll see a new way of road patching that will allow us to patch 100 potholes within a day, instead of five to 10 we’re currently doing it,” he said.
Family’s search ends in heartbreak at morgue VICTIM from page one Margaret Hospital’s morgue around 11am yesterday, ending a desperate search with the worst possible news. Police said Evalena was reported missing on June 29 by a 22-year-old family member, who said relatives had not seen or heard from her since Saturday, June 27. The family member said Evalena was last seen in the Adelaide Village area. Police later issued a missing person flyer asking the public to help locate her. The Tribune understands that the woman had lived in The Bahamas before attending college and had returned to the country on a school break. Her mother lives in Canada. Evalena was a student of Langston College. The Tribune understands that she had been attending a party with Stania Webb, another Langston student, and Diamond Stubbs, who was set to start school in August. It is understood that the young women were attending a Langston meet-and-greet party and were heading from there to V12 nightclub on Bay Street. What began as a night out among friends ended in one of
the country’s most devastating road tragedies in years. In the early hours of Sunday, Diamond, Betrica, Stania and
EVALENA JOHNSON
Evalena were occupants of a Mazda sedan along with four others. Shortly after 1am, the eight occupants were crammed inside the Mazda sedan as it travelled west on Shirley Street. The driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle before it slammed sideways into a tree near Church Street. Three female passengers were pronounced dead at the scene. The remaining five occupants were taken to the hospital with injuries. Another female victim later died in the hospital. The crash has torn through several families and communities, turning graduation celebrations, college plans and dreams of the future into mourning.
PAGE 4, Wednesday, July 1, 2026
THE TRIBUNE
Over 700 people helped by catastrophic health fund By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net HEALTH and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville said more than 700 people have benefited from the government’s Catastrophic Health Care Fund, but final figures are still being audited before they are released publicly and tabled in Parliament. The Davis administration launched the programme in 2024 to help Bahamians who cannot afford costly, life-saving medical treatment unavailable through the public healthcare system. Funding for the programme has increased from $10m to $12m in the 2026/27 budget cycle. Yesterday, Dr Darville said preliminary figures show more than 700 people have benefited, but the ministry is verifying how
many approved applicants ultimately received money. "I have our accountants looking exactly at those individuals who were approved versus those individuals who actually got the funding," Dr Darville said. "People will approach me and say, 'Listen, I need to do this particular life-changing procedure in the United States', and they never go, and so our numbers must be verified by the public treasury for where the resources went, and so there's an audited component versus just plain numbers." Dr Darville said some people may be approved for assistance but never travel for treatment. Others may die before their applications are completed, making it necessary to distinguish between approvals and actual beneficiaries. The fund has faced
repeated questions because the government has released little information about how many people have received assistance, how applications are assessed or how much money has been disbursed. The issue resurfaced during the House of Assembly’s budget debate when Long Island MP Dr Andre Rollins pressed Dr Darville to say what percentage of applicants had received help. Dr Rollins also asked what share of the country’s need the allocation meets. Former Health Minister Dr Duane Sands has also raised concerns about the programme’s transparency. In April 2024, Dr Sands said he supported the initiative and believed it could be a game changer, but said key details remained unclear. He questioned who qualifies for help, how
MINISTER OF HEALTH AND WELLNESS DR MICHAEL DARVILLE eligibility decisions are made and how the
money is being spent. He also called for greater
transparency and regular reporting on expenditures.
Magistrate’s injunction bid denied after transfer over complaints By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor rrolle@tribunemedia.net A SUPREME Court ruling has revealed that acting Senior Magistrate Aniska Isaacs was quietly placed on administrative leave, removed from active duties in the Magistrate’s Court and transferred back to the Supreme Court after complaints were made about her conduct and temperament, even though the Judicial and Legal Services Commission later decided that no disciplinary proceedings should be brought against her. Acting Justice Raynard Rigby, KC, has disclosed the sequence of events in a ruling dismissing Ms Isaacs’ bid for an interim injunction that would have preserved her status as acting senior magistrate while she pursued judicial review proceedings against the Judicial and Legal Services Commission. The ruling lifts the veil on a behind-the-scenes clash between a judicial officer and the constitutional body responsible for advising on the appointment, promotion, transfer and discipline of judicial officers.
Ms Isaacs argued that the commission’s decisions damaged her reputation, undermined her judicial independence, breached due process and unlawfully stripped her of the office to which she had been constitutionally appointed. Acting Justice Rigby rejected her application, finding that the matter was not urgent and that there was no strong enough evidence before the court to justify interim relief. The judge found that the balance of convenience weighed strongly against Ms Isaacs and said public confidence in the judiciary was a critical factor. Ms Isaacs was appointed Deputy Registrar of the Court of Appeal in July 2022. In June 2024, she was seconded to the Office of the Judiciary and appointed to act as Senior Stipendiary and Circuit Magistrate for 18 months. Her acting appointment was extended in December 2025 for a further 18 months. She was assigned to Magistrate’s Court No 8. According to the ruling, the relationship between Ms Isaacs and the JLSC was presumed to be cordial and professional until
complaints were made by local practitioners, members of The Bahamas Bar Association and accused people who appeared before her. The complaints triggered an investigation that ended on June 1, when the JLSC determined that no recommendation would be made for disciplinary proceedings to be instituted against her. However, before that conclusion, Ms Isaacs had already been placed on administrative leave and later told that her secondment as acting Senior Magistrate had been rescinded. The dispute began after attorney Devard Francis appeared before Ms Isaacs in April in a trial involving defendant Albert Ferguson. According to Ms Isaacs’ affidavit, Mr Francis requested an adjournment, which she denied. She said Mr Francis then said that he and his client were leaving the court. Mr Francis left and the defendant later left. Ms Isaacs reported Mr Francis’ conduct to The Bahamas Bar Association on April 9, alleging that he encouraged the defendant to abscond. Mr Francis then made a written complaint to the Chief Justice, which was
forwarded to Ms Isaacs on April 11. Around the same date, five additional complaints were forwarded to the Chief Justice involving Ms Isaacs’ exercise of discretion concerning adjournments and the approval of suretors for bail. Ms Isaacs said the Chief Magistrate declined to assign her any first pleas on April 14 and April 15. She said she later received a request for files connected to two complaints, but was on the bench until after 5pm and did not see the email immediately. On April 16, she was informed that she had been placed on administrative leave, effective April 20. She claimed she was not given a proper opportunity to respond, was not told the lawful authority relied on for the administrative leave or the removal of first pleas from her court, and was not given a fair hearing. Her administrative leave was extended on May 11 until May 20, and she was invited to attend a meeting with the JLSC on May 14. Ms Isaacs said she arrived for the meeting at 1.03pm, but was told the members were not ready for her to enter the meeting room. She said she waited until 1.48pm, when Registrar Renaldo Toote informed her that an email had been sent earlier saying the meeting had been postponed. She said she later saw that the adjournment email had been sent at 1.02pm and was told the meeting had to be adjourned because of the Prime Minister’s swearing-in at Government House. Ms Isaacs met with three JLSC members on May 15. She said they told her the meeting was only to find out if she had any further response to the complaints. She said she tried to take verbatim notes, but was told several times that they were not taking notes and had not intended the meeting to last long. She described the meeting as rushed and perfunctory, lasting less than 30 minutes. On May 19, while preparing to return to her duties as a magistrate, Ms Isaacs was informed by WhatsApp that her administrative leave had been extended until May 27. She said she received no further notice of an extension and went to work on May 27. While there, she was told by her clerk that the Chief Magistrate had the files for her court. Around 11pm, she received an email saying her appointment as acting Senior Magistrate had been rescinded and that she was being transferred to the Supreme Court as Deputy Registrar. She was reportedly told
to report to the Supreme Court Registry on June 1 to be allocated office space and assigned files. Ms Isaacs argued that the move was made without constitutional authority or due process. She also alleged a conflict of interest, saying Mr Toote acted both as head of department in recommending an investigation and as secretary to the JLSC. Her attorney, Gia Moxey-Lockhart, argued that the JLSC’s letters placing her on leave, extending the leave and rescinding her secondment were “unlawful, unconstitutional, procedurally unfair, irrational and constitute an impermissible interference with [the Applicant’s] judicial independence”. Mrs Moxey-Lockhart argued that the JLSC had failed to identify any constitutional, statutory or regulatory power authorising administrative leave. She said the central issue was whether General Orders could lawfully apply to Ms Isaacs’ employment to authorise suspension or removal from active judicial functions. She also argued that the complaints arose from Ms Isaacs’ judicial decisions concerning adjournments, bail and case management and should not have led to administrative leave or any form of discipline. Robert Adams, KC, who appeared with Bryann Hepburn for the JLSC and the Attorney General, argued that Ms Isaacs had not filed an application for leave to seek judicial review by the time the inter partes hearing took place. He also argued that the May 27 letter did not transfer Ms Isaacs outside the Office of the Judiciary, but moved her within it. He said her secondment was to the Office of the Judiciary, meaning the Supreme Court and Magistrate Courts, not exclusively to the Magistrate’s Court. Acting Justice Rigby accepted that position. He found that Ms Isaacs’ claim that she had been demoted or transferred from the Magistrate’s Court to the Supreme Court without consent was “wholly unmeritorious”. The judge said her appointment letter made clear that she had been seconded to the Office of the Judiciary, which included both the Supreme Court and Magistrate Courts. He said her substantive post remained Deputy Registrar of the Court of Appeal. He also said the May 27 letter was not drafted with the strict elegance required, but in substance referred to her substantive capacity and meant she would remain
within the Office of the Judiciary. The judge said the words “you be transferred,” when read in context, meant she was being moved from the Magistrate’s Court to the Supreme Court. He said Mr Toote could have used the words posted or assigned, but the effect was to place Ms Isaacs in the role of Deputy Registrar of the Supreme Court. Acting Justice Rigby also found that Ms Isaacs had not shown urgency. He said the alleged threat to her judicial independence arose when she was placed on administrative leave in April, more than a month before she filed the application. By May 27, he said, the administrative leave had been lifted. The judge said the facts did not show that Ms Isaacs or any third party would be denied a fair outcome or suffer grave prejudice if the interim order was refused. He found that, given the complaints, it appeared appropriate for the JLSC to place Ms Isaacs on administrative leave while the investigation was conducted. The judge said the JLSC regulations dealing with misconduct not warranting dismissal applied where disciplinary proceedings were instituted. In Ms Isaacs’ case, disciplinary proceedings were not instituted. He also rejected her reputational harm argument at this stage, saying the factual foundation for it was absent from the papers before him. The judge said granting the interim injunction would effectively restore Ms Isaacs to the post of acting Senior Magistrate, even if on administrative leave, and could give her the same relief she may seek in judicial review proceedings. He said the court should be reluctant to restrain public bodies from carrying out their functions in the public interest where there is no strong evidence that they acted in bad faith. “Furthermore, there can be no real sustaining argument that the investigation was a ‘witch hunt’ given the seriousness of the complaints,” he said. He stressed that he was not deciding whether the complaints against Ms Isaacs were legitimate or valid, saying those issues would be for judicial review proceedings. However, he said the complaints were serious and that at least one of them gave “pause for great concern” for the administration of justice and the exercise of judicial power. He dismissed the application and awarded costs to the respondents, to be assessed if not agreed.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, July 1, 2026, PAGE 5
Rollins claims demolition cancelled as officials cite ongoing delays By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net LONG Island MP Dr Andre Rollins told Parliament this week that a scheduled shanty town demolition off Cowpen Road had been cancelled, but the reason he gave for the cancellation was struck from the House record after protests from members of the governing party. Dr Rollins declined to discuss the matter when contacted by The Tribune yesterday. Works Minister Clay Sweeting, a member of the Unregulated Communities Action Task Force, did not rise in the House of Assembly to dispute the claim that the demolition had been cancelled. Unregulated Communities Action Task Force chairman Superintendent Stephen Carey denied yesterday that any Cabinet minister intervened to stop the demolition, saying the process had been delayed
while officials verified who lived in the area and who had received assistance. “There were no such allegation,” Mr Carey said. “We were doing our due diligence in regards to persons living in the area, confirming who they were, confirming who took assistance and all those things. There were no calls from no minister.” Mr Carey acknowledged that there had been delays in the demolition process, but rejected claims that political interference caused them. He confirmed that a demolition is scheduled for next week, though he said officials would later confirm which unregulated community would be targeted. Mr Sweeting, meanwhile, insisted the government remains committed to its aggressive approach to dismantling illegal communities, but said officials do not publicly announce demolition dates because
of security concerns. “We never announce the date when we’re going to demo because of security measures,” he told reporters. “You have social services, you have the police, you have immigration, you have all of these different security agencies that are involved in this process, so we'll ensure that we continue with that aggressive approach.” “You'll see in the next few weeks some shanty town demolition. I'm not going to announce the date, but we've served notices on these locations, and some of these places have been served up to a year, so they've had time to remove whatever they had to do, or make preparations for finding a new location, if they're Bahamian or permanent resident.” Mr Sweeting said notices have been served in New Providence, and officials are preparing to serve notices in some Family Islands.
LONG ISLAND MP ANDRE ROLLINS
URCA FINES BPL NEARLY $30K FOR LATE OUTAGE REPORTING URCA has fined Bahamas Power and Light $29,662 after finding that the utility failed to report major outages in Abaco, the Abaco Cays and Crooked Island within the required 24-hour period. The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority issued two final determinations and orders on June 16, finding that BPL breached Condition 24.5 of its Public Electricity Supplier Licence by submitting major outage reports days and, in some cases, weeks late. URCA suspended enforcement and collection of the fines for 12 months, but stressed that the penalties have not been waived, reduced or cancelled. The regulator said it can move to collect the fines if BPL again breaches its major outage reporting obligations, fails to comply with the orders or fails to implement required corrective measures during the suspension period. BPL acknowledged the determinations, but said they concern only the timing of regulatory reports after major outage events in 2025, not its operational response, restoration efforts or the reliability of the electricity system. Under its licence, BPL must notify URCA within
24 hours of any major outage and provide key details, including the cause of the outage, the areas affected, the number of customers impacted, restoration efforts undertaken and the time taken to restore service. URCA said timely reporting is critical to its ability to monitor service reliability, oversee restoration efforts where necessary and carry out its consumer protection responsibilities. The first determination concerned a series of major outages affecting Abaco and the Abaco Cays between November 30 and December 15, 2025. URCA found that BPL failed to submit the required reports within the prescribed period, submitting them instead between December 18 and December 21, 2025. The regulator said the delays ranged from two to 21 days. It imposed a $20,000 fine. The second determination concerned a major outage on Crooked Island on October 21, 2025. URCA said it became aware of that outage through public sources after BPL failed to submit the required report. After URCA made inquiries, BPL submitted its major outage report on October
30, nine days after the outage. URCA found that BPL breached its reporting obligation and imposed a $9,662 fine. Although URCA suspended enforcement and collection of both fines, it said the suspension gives BPL an opportunity to demonstrate sustained compliance with its licence obligations. The determinations come as BPL faces continued public scrutiny over outages, particularly in the Family Islands, where residents have repeatedly complained about prolonged disruptions and service instability. In its response, BPL said the determinations relate only to regulatory reporting deadlines connected to the Crooked Island and Abaco outages during October, November and December 2025. The company said the determinations do not address BPL’s operational response, restoration work or system reliability. BPL said it has reviewed and strengthened its internal reporting procedures since the outages occurred. It said it has increased management oversight and implemented measures to improve the consistency, accuracy and timeliness of regulatory submissions.
Teen granted bail for alleged setting fire to Cafe Matisse By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net AN 18-year-old man was granted bail yesterday after he was accused of setting fire to Cafe Matisse and causing $32,845 in damage. Prosecutors allege Jayden Burrows and an accomplice set fire to the restaurant on East Street North and Bank Lane around 1.44am on June 18. During the same incident, which police did not tell the press about despite repeated inquiries by The Tribune, Burrows allegedly injured Denasho Johnson. Reports indicate that an officer leaving Central Police Station saw two men in dark clothing and ski masks acting suspiciously
that night. The officer followed the men as they entered an alley. One suspect fled, while the other allegedly threw a flammable substance onto the roof of the restaurant and set it ablaze. The officer reportedly approached the man, leading to a struggle. During the altercation, the man allegedly stabbed the officer in his right hand. The Tribune understands that the officer discharged four rounds from his service weapon, striking the suspect. The suspect was taken to Princess Margaret Hospital for surgery. The officer was also injured in the incident. By the time firefighters arrived, rain had reportedly extinguished the fire. The
roof of the building sustained minor damage. Burrows was not required to enter a plea to arson of a building and causing harm before acting Chief Magistrate Ancella Evans. He was informed that his matter would proceed to the Supreme Court through a voluntary bill of indictment. Burrows’ bail was set at $8,500 with one or two sureties. He must sign in at the Nassau Street Police Station every Thursday by 6pm. He must also obey a daily 6pm to 6am curfew. The accused returns to court for service of his VBI on October 8. Inspector Deon Barr prosecuted the case, while Levan Johnson represented the accused.
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The company also said it asked URCA to convene a joint reporting workshop involving all electricity providers operating under the Government of The Bahamas and regulated by URCA. According to BPL, URCA agreed to host the workshop and has already developed an agenda framework.
BPL said the workshop will be used to standardise practices, improve efficiency and ensure that all regulated utilities share a common understanding of the reporting process by reviewing URCA’s reporting requirements, templates and submission expectations. The company said major outages, especially
in the Family Islands, require engineering and operational staff to focus first on restoring service, ensuring public safety and assessing system conditions. BPL said it believes the workshop will help streamline reporting while ensuring regulatory submissions remain complete, accurate and timely.
PAGE 6, Monday, Wednesday, July 1, 2026
THE TRIBUNE
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Seven deaths demand action THERE has been much speculation as to the causes of the crash that killed four young women on Shirley Street when the car they were travelling in struck a tree near Church Street. Three things should be noted. One, that an investigation is under way and the circumstances of the incident will no doubt emerge. Two, the families of those four victims are in mourning, and speculation that points the finger of blame without knowing for sure only adds to the pain of those who are grieving for those who have been lost. And three, these are not the only victims of traffic accidents in recent days. Not only were there four more people injured in that same accident, but three more people have been killed in crashes since Saturday – seven people killed on our roads in just a few days. What is also certain is that there are a great many issues with our roads – and whether those issues contributed to a particular incident or not, we should still be fixing what we see before our eyes. One driver posted a video near the scene of the Shirley Street crash after the incident, pointing out the number of potholes in the area, while not directly referring to the crash itself. Strangely, there were many people in the comments saying the crash was down to speed – as yet to be properly determined – as if to somehow minimise the proliferation of potholes on the road. Whether they had anything to do with this particular crash or not, get them fixed. We accept mediocrity far too easily in this country. Certainly, some of those potholes are deep enough or in a road position that they could cause a crash – or damage to your vehicle – so why not remedy the situation? Works Minister Clay Sweeting was asked about the road conditions in the area – and responded by saying that Shirley Street had been identified as needing paving even before the tragedy. It is a known problem. He also said the recent fatalities point to a problem with speed. He said: “This seems to be a national concern in regards to motorists and the speed that persons started driving, so I do caution persons to slow down a bit.” It is unlikely that this is a sudden recent spate of speeding, however. Is it likely that more people are speeding now than a month ago, six months, a year, ten years? Speed might absolutely be a contributing factor in a number of fatal crashes – but there are things that can be done about that too. Speed bumps can be added to roads where there are significant cases of
speeding. Then there is policing that can be carried out to enforce speed limits. When was the last time you saw a speeding case come to court? Travel past Baha Mar and you will see the rare exception of a sign that tells you what speed you are travelling as an incentive to stick to a safe speed. But speed cameras could also be used where needed to get people to slow down – and to photograph the licence plate of a speeding driver to catch later and to penalise. These are all elements that can be used to reduce the number of cases we see where people are involved in crashes that result in deaths or serious injury. Repairs, changing the infrastructure, increasing the policing and ensuring enforcement – all things that can be done to reduce the chances of another tragedy. Simply asking people to drive more slowly probably isn’t going to reach the ears of those putting their foot down. No one ever expects to be in a crash. No one anticipates being in an accident. There is one other element, however, and that is education. One aspect of the fatal Shirley Street crash that stood out was that there were eight people in the car – four died, four injured. The size of the car involved means that vehicle was overcrowded, and it is unlikely there were enough seat belts for everyone. Parents, take a moment to talk to your children. Urge them not to travel in cars that are too full. Tell them you will always come for them if they are worried about getting into a car – whether because the car is too full, or they are worried that the driver might have had too much to drink, or any reason at all. Let young people know you have their back, whenever they need it. The families of those in the Shirley Street crash are mourning those they love. The families of those in the deadly crashes elsewhere are doing likewise. Whatever the causes, let us remedy what we can – whether that is the holes in the ground or the traffic lights that do not work. The government departments responsible should proceed with such measures urgently. Or closer to home, the reassurances that we can give so no one ever feels under pressure to travel in a way they do not feel is safe. Perhaps these crashes could have been avoided, perhaps they could not, we do not know. But we do know that we can take action to try to prevent the next crash, or the one after that. While this spate of crashes is being investigated fully, let us get on with what we can do to stop a repeat.
Shouldn’t healthcare come first? EDITOR, The Tribune. KINDLY allow me a little space in your newspaper to ask a few questions regarding information I recently read in one of your articles. I noted that $20 million has been allocated for the construction of a new Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Nassau, while an additional $14 million has been allocated for renovations to the Bahamas High Commission in London. Before these expenditures were approved by the Government, were the plans ever presented to the Bahamian taxpayers for public scrutiny? Why was the $20 million not directed toward improving the Princess Margaret Hospital? These funds could have been used to enhance essential services and facilities, including additional beds, medical equipment, medications, kidney dialysis machines, bed linens, kitchen improvements, and other critical resources that would directly benefit patients and
healthcare professionals. Likewise, could the $14 million earmarked for the London renovations not have been better spent addressing the concerns of our healthcare providers? Many medical professionals who provide care to National Health Insurance (NHI) patients have waited an unreasonable length of time to be paid and are now being told that there is no immediate prospect of improvement in receiving their salaries. It is important to remember that the patients these NHI doctors care for are the very citizens whose votes give Members of Parliament their authority and privilege. Yet many of these same citizens feel neglected. Countless Bahamian men and women are forced to seek medical treatment abroad, often at great personal expense that they can scarcely afford, while the Government appears silent on the ongoing challenges facing Princess Margaret Hospital.
Why is this situation being allowed to continue? It is also noteworthy that these expenditures are discussed only in terms of millions—$20 million here and $14 million there. Whatever happened to accountability for every thousand dollars spent? Does the average Bahamian truly appreciate how much money one million dollars represents? Perhaps if financial literacy were emphasized more, particularly in our schools, there would be a greater public understanding of the scale of these expenditures and, perhaps, a stronger public demand for accountability. I raise these questions not to criticize for the sake of criticism, but because the health and well-being of the Bahamian people should remain a national priority. Yours faithfully, A BAHAMIAN TAXPAYER Nassau, Bahamas June 30, 2026
Pintard’s loss can become Grand Bahama’s opportunity EDITOR, The Tribune. THE Free National Movement’s loss in the 2026 general election doesn’t have to signify the end of Michael C Pintard’s leadership. Instead, it could mark the beginning of his most significant challenge. In politics, defeat often breeds panic, blame, and internal conflict. However, true leadership is not only demonstrated through victory but also through how a leader responds when the public says, “Not Yet.” For Michael Pintard, the question is no longer whether he can envision the future; it’s whether he can showcase it in real time. This is why Grand Bahama should become his proving ground. For years, Pintard has aimed to establish a forward-thinking policy agenda centered on economic renewal, affordable housing, technology, entrepreneurship, governance reform, and national competitiveness. Many of these ideas are disruptive and challenge outdated systems, political habits, and assumptions about what The Bahamas can achieve. Visionary leaders often face criticism before they are understood. Change is difficult, and structural change is even tougher. In a country accustomed to viewing politics as performance, serious policy can seem abstract until people witness its tangible effects. Now is the time to make that vision visible. Pintard should lead Grand Bahama in being developed into an “Opportunity and Ownership Innovation and Incubation Hub,” a dynamic platform for both aspiring and established Bahamian business leaders looking to progress from ideas to execution, opportunity to ownership, and ambition to measurable impact. This should not be just another slogan; Grand Bahama has had enough of those. This initiative must become a working model. Such a hub would concentrate on FinTech, PropTech, TravelTech, Tokenisation, construction innovation, small business development, digital skills, tourism renewal, and real estate activation. It would unite entrepreneurs, contractors, property owners, young professionals, investors, creatives, technologists, educators, and policy thinkers around a central mission: to help Bahamians build, own, scale, and engage in the ‘Next Economy.’ Grand Bahama is the right location for such an initiative because it is both struggling and ready for change. The island possesses under utilised land, dormant commercial assets, unrealised tourism potential, logistical infrastructure, proximity to North America, and a population that understands the ramifications of economic stagnation. It has too long played the role of an economic sleeper and must now transform into an economic incubator. Pintard should seize this moment to show that opposition leadership is not merely about criticising the government, but rather about demonstrating viable alternatives. He would represent the ‘Government in Waiting,’ as opposed to waiting to become government.
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net I envision him using this opportunity to organise policy labs, business boot camps, investment readiness forums, housing innovation workshops, tokenisation roundtables, PropTech demonstrations, and Grand Bahama enterprise showcases. He would facilitate connections between local business leaders and technical experts, financing partners, legal consultants, digital infrastructure builders, and diaspora investors. He would make Grand Bahama a place where policy is not just promised, but prototyped. This approach would aid his political recovery, not by pleading to stay in leadership but by giving his party and the country a compelling reason to understand why continuity as FNM leader is essential. Leadership following a defeat requires humility. Pintard must listen more intently, communicate more clearly, organise more effectively, and prove that the Free National Movement can be more than just an election machine. However, the FNM must also be honest. The FNM cannot continue recycling old political habits and expect new public confidence. If the FNM aims to rebuild, it must transition into a party of action, not merely opposition. Grand Bahama, frequently characterised as “FNM Country,” holds significant potential for facilitating transformative change, not just in our Bahamas but also in the region. The leadership of Pintard already stands out as particularly promising due to his demonstrated capacity to engage and collaborate with individuals across the entire spectrum of political affiliations and ideologies. Pintard’s proven track record across the island showcases not only his ability to unite diverse groups but also his commitment to fostering dialogue and cooperation among different stakeholders. Pintard’s approach reflects a deep understanding of the community’s needs, making him an effective catalyst for meaningful progress on Grand Bahama. A well-structured Opportunity and Ownership Innovation and Incubation Hub would educate Bahamians looking to move toward a thriving, inclusive, resilient, sustainable economic model centered on opportunity and ownership. It would teach individuals how to form companies, structure projects, access capital, utilise digital tools, understand tokenisation, manage property, build brands, create tourism products, and turn ideas into investable ventures. This is the missing link in Bahamian development. We talk about entrepreneurship, yet many individuals do not know how to structure a business. We discuss ownership, but many lack understanding of how financing works. We highlight the importance of technology, yet many are not trained to use it commercially. We promote tourism, but too few Bahamians own scalable tourism products. We
speak of investment, but far too many local opportunities remain unstructured, undocumented, and invisible to potential capital. The hub would aim to bridge these gaps. It would not replace the government nor rely on waiting for governmental intervention. It would not depend on a single foreign investor or mega project. Instead, it would establish a disciplined environment where Bahamians could learn to build their futures. This is where Pintard’s policy agenda can become practical. Affordable housing can be tested through new innovative construction models, rentto-own structures, and PropTech-enabled project management. Tourism can be expanded through boutique hotels, shortterm vacation rentals, cultural experiences, and membership-based travel products. Tokenisation can be explored through legally sound structures that connect real assets with compliant investment participation. Young professionals can be trained not only to seek jobs but also to create enterprises, paving the way for a new era of opportunities on Grand Bahama. That is the political recovery available to Pintard. This would not be a recovery based on speeches. It would be a recovery based on providing proof. If Pintard wants to remain the leader of the Free National Movement (FNM), he must demonstrate that he can lead outside of campaign season. He must show that his ideas are not merely election promises but rather a ‘development philosophy.’ He must prove that Grand Bahama is not just his constituency base but a national laboratory for Bahamian Renewal. The Free National Movement must also understand this clearly: losing an election is not the same as losing the argument. Sometimes, the argument has not yet been made visible enough for the public to trust it. Grand Bahama gives Pintard and the Free National Movement that chance. Let the island become the incubator for ideas. Let those ideas evolve into institutions. Let policy develop into practice. Let opportunity lead to ownership. Let ambition result in measurable impact. Bahamians deserve more action rather than endless lectures on the future and the promotion of vague, intangible progress. It’s time to focus on tangible solutions that lead to meaningful improvements in our lives. Bahamians desire to see and experience meaningful change. Many are frustrated with the stagnant approaches of past and present leadership. There is a strong desire among Bahamians to contribute to a new vision. Grand Bahamians and all Bahamians are united in the call to “Build Back Better, Stronger Together,” and by working hand in hand, we can forge a brighter future for all of our communities. EDEN MERRY JOHNSON Freeport, Grand Bahama June 23, 2026.
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THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, July 1, 2026, PAGE 7
DOCTOR SAYS ALLEGED VICTIM WAS WITHDRAWN IN EXAM By JADE RUSSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net A DOCTOR testified yesterday that a woman appeared withdrawn as she performed a rape kit on her the day she was allegedly sexually assaulted by a man who gave her a ride in western New Providence in 2023. Dr Jenna Butler testified in the rape trial of Kennedy Ingraham before Justice Jeannine Weech-Gomez. Prosecutors allege that Ingraham raped a 36-yearold woman, whose name is being withheld, after giving her a ride in western New Providence around 9am on March 20, 2023. The defendant allegedly took the woman to a residence in Coral Harbour, where the assault allegedly occurred in his car. Afterwards, he allegedly drove the woman to her job at a grocery store. The defence has claimed that the sex was consensual and transactional. It further claimed the complainant fabricated the allegation after Ingraham failed to pay her the $250 they had allegedly agreed on beforehand. Dr Butler said she performed a physical examination and rape kit on the complainant at 2pm on March 20, 2023. She also took the complainant’s history. The hospital form used that day was read in court, and the signature of the officer present during the examination was shown.
Dr Butler said there were no abrasions, lacerations, contusions, bleeding or bruises on the complainant. However, she clarified that the absence of those injuries did not mean rape had not occurred. She said lubrication, whether synthetic or natural, could affect that. She said she observed a discharge during the examination. Dr Butler described the complainant’s emotional state during the examination as solemn. She said the complainant was withdrawn, did not make eye contact and spoke little. When questioned by defence attorney Indiana Fitzgerald, Dr Butler said the complainant had a Creole translator during the examination. She said the complainant identified the translator as her male pastor. The doctor said the complainant spoke some English. Dr Butler said it took an hour and a half just to get the facts from the complainant. She said senior nurse Sister Blair and Officer Strachan were present during the examination. The doctor could not remember the officer’s rank. Dr Butler said she asked the complainant whether her alleged assailant used force. Sonia Timothy Knowles and Crystal Stuart also represented the accused. Shaneka Carey and Betty Wilson prosecuted the case.
Darville asks for patience as PMH upgrades continue By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net HEALTH and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville said renovations to Princess Margaret Hospital’s operating theatres have temporarily disrupted elective surgeries, but insisted emergency services remain operational as officials push to complete long-delayed upgrades at the country’s main public hospital. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a ministry event yesterday, Dr Darville said work is underway to replace problematic flooring in some of PMH’s operating theatres, forcing some theatres out of service for elective procedures. He said the Public Hospitals Authority has notified affected patients and will reschedule their procedures once the renovations are completed. Emergency services, however, are “still up and running,” he said. "We want to do this very quickly, because the floor had some problems, and we wanted to make sure it was replaced so that the theater can flow effectively and all the operating theaters can be reopen," Dr Darville said. Asked about the cost of the work, he said he could not recall the exact figure, but described it as "a few million dollars".
"From my understanding, it's a major undertaking, and if you understand operating theaters and the flooring, this particular flooring had problems for many years, and we're very fortunate to have the funding that was allocated to us by way of the CIBC loan." Dr Darville said the CIBC loan will also fund renovations to PMH’s kitchen, Legacy Ward and a new dialysis unit. He said funding is available and work has already begun. "There is a bit of inconvenience because you know how difficult it is to operate and renovate, and so there's some challenges,” Dr Darville said. “We ask the Bahamian people to just bear with us, particularly those who need elective surgeries, and once the flooring is down, everything goes back to normal." Dr Darville also gave updates on the deployment of ambulances to the Family Islands, the Freeport Health Campus and the national reference laboratory near the former Bahamas Mortgage Corporation building. Asked about the rollout of ambulances and emergency medical technician training, Dr Darville said ambulances are being dispatched “in a systematic way”. However, he said the rollout has been affected by a shortfall after “quite a few” people failed the
international exam required after completing the PHA Academy’s EMT programme. "The last thing we want is the emergency medical vehicle in a jurisdiction and people using them who are not qualified and don't meet the medical legal requirement," Dr Darville explained, "And so, we have dispatched some of our EMTs, as well as our equipment to various family islands, but I want the entire process to be completed, and hopefully will be completed shortly." Dr Darville also said the Freeport Health Campus is tentatively expected to reach “turnkey” for part 1A and part 1B in April 2027. He said the project faced initial challenges because of delayed funding. The health minister said officials are also reviewing tender documents for approval of a contract for the multistorey facility that will house most of the beds. Dr Darville said that facility will complete the Freeport Health Campus and the new area for the Rand Memorial Hospital. He said the current Rand Memorial Hospital will be used for geriatric patients under a new programme for elderly people, especially those with chronic diseases such as Alzheimer’s who need assisted living. He said the ministry also intends to expand the psychiatric component.
Dr Darville said three “very important” tiers at Rand Memorial Hospital must be considered, and the ministry plans to use them for same-day surgeries that will be incorporated with the new Freeport Health Campus. "I intend to work hard to do my endeavour best, so that the residents of Grand Bahama can finally have a full tertiary hospital and not a hospital that provides some of the services, and the balance of the services goes through the Princess Margaret Hospital by way of an MOU that's been happening from the inception of the facility," Dr Darville said. Asked about the national reference laboratory near the former Bahamas Mortgage Corporation building, Dr Darville said the facility is in the final stages of completion. He said it will serve as the country’s central laboratory for gene sequencing, pandemic testing and HIV viral load testing. Dr Darville said equipment is still being installed and relocated from its current location. He said the Ministry of Health is working closely with the Caribbean Public Health Agency and its laboratory in Trinidad and Tobago. Once the equipment is fully in place, he said the ministry intends to conduct a media tour of the facility.
Suspect in $2.9m drug bust jailed for breaching bail By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A MAN awaiting trial in connection with a $2.9m marijuana bust off Ragged Island in 2023 was sentenced to one year in prison yesterday after he admitted breaching his bail
conditions. Andrew Adderley, 58, failed to surrender himself to custody on November 25, 2024, while on $50,000 bail. Adderley also failed to sign in at the Nicholls Town Police Station between January 14 and June 14. He was on bail for two
counts each of possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply, conspiracy to possess dangerous drugs with intent to supply, importation of dangerous drugs and conspiracy to import dangerous drugs. Adderley and alleged accomplices were aboard a vessel in waters off Ragged
Island on December 28, 2023, when authorities allegedly found 2,908lbs of marijuana. Authorities also reportedly seized five and a half ounces of cocaine. The marijuana seized
in the incident has an estimated street value of $2,908,000. Adderley pleaded guilty to two counts of violating bail conditions before Deputy Chief Magistrate
Shaka Serville. He was sentenced to one year at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. Inspector Cordero Farrington prosecuted the case.
PAGE 8, Wednesday, July 1, 2026
THE TRIBUNE
Alicia Wallace
A national disgrace:
when familiarity becomes a liability
WHILE there is little attention paid to the issue today, rape and sexual assault continue to plague this country. Reports of men preying on girls and elderly women are in the news more often than weekly, and these reports—along with the survivors—are quickly forgotten. It must not be just another day, just another report, just another sad story, when we hear about people being raped. Men and boys continue to seek dominance, and continue their attempts to exercise power and control over women and girls and our bodies. When we speak of women’s rights and the need for gender equality, it doesn’t take long for the sad, troubled men to start wringing their hands, complaining that men and boys are struggling and receiving too little attention. Unfortunately, the same people who pretend to be concerned about the direction of men and boys in the country fail to take action to prevent the actions that lead to news stories we see almost daily. They’re not engaging with men and boys in positive, effective ways. They’re not encouraging them to improve their grades in school, participate in extracurricular activities, express their feelings using their words, learn new skills, build strong friendships, and become active members of their communities. Instead, they’re railing against the women’s rights advocates, as we put our attention on the people who suffer the consequences of hypermasculinity, harmful gender ideology, and dangerous socialization of men and boys who come to believe they ought to be in charge simply because they are men and boys. They also believe, when they are not in charge, that they must fight to prove their dominance. Instead of working with the people they view as victims, they complain about
those of us who are using our resources to support survivors of gender-based violence and advocate for gender equality, and eradicating the harmful ideologies that are at the root of gender-based violence. Here are seven stories from June 2026: 1. Twentythree-year-old Jakyle Barry pled guilty to 11 counts of sexual assault, and was sentenced to 11 years in prison. He sexually assaulted a child on a family island, and the rape— being referred to in other terms despite the fact that no one under 16 can legally consent to sex—resulted in pregnancy. The Tribune reported, “Barry, then 19, began an illegal sexual relationship with a 12-yearold girl on a family island in August 2021 after they were reportedly introduced by the complainant’s cousin. The offence took place at the complainant’s grandmother’s house, which the convict often visited.” The 13-year-old girl became pregnant. In its report on Monday, The Tribune noted, “Justice McKay called the convict’s actions predatory and said he abused his access and familiarity with the complainant to take advantage of her at a tender age.”
2. Nineteen-year-old Tyrese Oliver and two 16-year-olds were “seen fleeing on foot towards
Montell Heights” after they allegedly gang raped a 15-year-old girl. They were all attending an event, and they were known to the 15-year-old girl. They are out on bail of $7,500 each. 3. At five o’clock in the morning last week Wednesday, a 91-year-old woman was sexually assaulted by a family member. 4. Twenty-seven-year-old Tremolo Dean, a bus driver, is accused of “unlawful sexual intercourse”—which
we ought to refer to as “rape”—with a 14-yearold girl on two occasions in 2024. Twenty-year-old
and girls. They are not only targeting strangers. They are attacking their family members, friends, classmates, and other people they know. They are using familiarity, weaponizing it, and turning it into a vulnerability. There was a time that it seemed smart to rely on family members and family friends to help keep us safe. Now, we have to question their intentions when they are around us. We have to look for signs that they may want to Photo: Davdkuko/pexels cause us harm. Men and boys Shaveney Taylor is accused continue to take advantage of “unlawful sexual inter- of environmental and socicourse”—which we ought oeconomic flaws. Lack of to refer to as “rape”—with a street lighting, bushy areas, 13-year-old girl. lack of public transpor5. A 16-year-old girl was tation outside of daylight allegedly assaulted last hours, need for childcare or week. The Tribune reported, people to regularly check “The alleged victim said on minors, and the need for she was taken to an area in money to meet basic needs Pinewood Gardens by a man can all be factors that enable known to her. He allegedly sexual violence. This is not new. had sexual intercourse with These are well-known her against her will.” Men and boys are enact- facts. It may be news to ing violence against women some, however, that familiarity is no longer an
automatic comfort. It’s now a vulnerability. The onus must not be on women and girls to prevent rape. It must also not be on us to solve the problems of men and boys. We’re busy surviving. We’re busy supporting survivors. We study, we research, we theorize, we develop policies and programs, we implement programs, we respond to needs with services and resources, we make demands of the government, and we fill in the gaps. We call on the men who see and talk about the issues with men and boys to do what is required for intervention and prevention of violence. We call on the men to do the work they seem to expect of women’s rights advocates. We call on the men who do not know how to do this work to seek the resources, participate in the trainings, and ask for help. We do not accept the additional work they try to place on our shoulders. The reports of sexual assault that make it to the news are barely a glimpse of what is actually taking place. Many reports never make it to the news. Many people never report rape and sexual assault. Looking only at the report over the past month, we can see the trends: Men in their 20s are targeting and raping girls and elderly women known to them. They are abusing familiarity. They are making it impossible for women and girls to trust any man. They are actively making the world a smaller place for every person they rape, every person they attempt to rape, and every person they scare with their violence. The men who are angry that they are experiencing the brunt of this fear and this distrust need to use that anger to work with their own. It’s not for women and girls to change men and boys. The men have to do it.
Cuban official says talks with the US are at a standstill, announces UN debate on US oil embargo By ANDREA RODRÍGUEZ Associated Press HAVANA (AP) — Talks between Cuba and the U.S. are at a standstill, despite the island recently approving a series of free-market reforms, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez announced Tuesday. He noted that the newly unveiled reforms were neither mentioned nor discussed in earlier talks between the two nations. "The recently announced (measures) are a matter of total and absolute sovereignty," Rodriguez said. "We have neither listened to nor are we interested in the U.S. government's opinion on them." But he said it was striking that they "were met with a new package of unilateral coercive measures ... against Cuba." Earlier this month, the U.S. slapped new sanctions on Cuban President Miguel Díaz Canel and other officials, as well as on companies key to the island's crumbling economy. Some of the sanctions were announced after Cuba's Communist Party and the National Assembly of People's Power approved 176 economic measures representing the biggest economic shift since the revolution. They align with some of the demands made by the United States, which is pressuring for a change in Cuba's political and economic model. The reforms include more space for private
businesses, free hiring of personnel and authorization for private banks and investment by Cubans abroad. Rodriguez added that while the conduct of U.S. government officials was "generally respectful" during earlier talks, he said it is accompanied by "constant aggressive statements against Cuba, threats of military aggression, and the imposition of additional coercive measures." The U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Rodríguez made the statements during a press conference in which he announced a July 7 debate at the U.N. General Assembly on the energy embargo imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump in late January. "The blockade and the policy of aggression and hostility of the United States government against Cuba are a threat to the existence and well-being of the Cuban people, and to the exercise of their human rights," Rodríguez said. He also denied that Cuba is a threat to the U.S., which he called "a major military and nuclear power." The oil blockade has further paralyzed Cuba's economy, leading to prolonged blackouts, fuel rationing, internet outages, and the suspension of public transportation and flight cancellations. Basic services such as garbage collection and water delivery have been suspended, and workdays have been reduced.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, July 1, 2026, PAGE 9
AI is plowing through the workplace. This group wants to help people cope By JOSH BOAK Associated Press
WhatsApp will allow users to go by usernames instead of phone numbers, closing a privacy blind spot
WASHINGTON (AP) — America has been rushing into an artificial intelligence future without much of a plan to stop what could be catastrophic job losses. Critics warn of doomsday scenarios out of a sci-fi thriller, while backers say AI will generate so much new wealth that no one should worry too much about millions of layoffs. A new bipartisan nonprofit hopes to ensure that America can realize the economic gains promised by AI without its workers suffering. RAISE US is starting with more than $500 million to deploy on new forms of education and training, putting a focus on partnering with states and major employers rather than the federal government. Founded by former Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, a Democrat, and former Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, a Republican, the group aims to pilot programs and incentives to help American workers pivot to new careers in an economy that will increasingly be automated by artificial intelligence. "We're talking about a certain level of unemployment that could destabilize our country and our democracy," Raimondo said in an interview. "If you want to lead the world in AI, you have to take action to make sure our democracy doesn't crumble."
By KELVIN CHAN AP Business Writer
The programs will first start in Arkansas, Maryland, Utah and Connecticut The nonprofit is initially partnering with officials in Arkansas, Connecticut, Maryland and Utah, along with several of America's largest companies and charitable organizations. The group intends to develop policies that connect schools more closely to employers, so that layoffs can be replaced by the potential for new jobs with higher incomes. They also are exploring changes to corporate taxes and other incentives with the goal of keeping people working. "Good things tend to happen when you convert have-nots into haves," Holcomb said. Among the companies serving as anchor partners with RAISE US are Amazon, Microsoft, Anthropic, the OpenAI Foundation and Bank of America. Other employers involved in the project include UPS, General Motors, Eli Lilly, Mastercard, chipmaker AMD, Cisco and IBM. Raimondo, the former Democratic governor of Rhode Island who played a formative role in setting AI policy as the Biden administration's commerce secretary, will be the nonprofit's CEO. The advisory board includes former Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan, billionaire investment manager Stephen Schwarzman, AFL-CIO President Liz
THE OPENAI logo is displayed on a cellphone with an image on a computer monitor generated by ChatGPT’s Dall-E text-to-image model, Dec. 8, 2023, in Boston. AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File
Shuler and the economists David Autor, Erik Brynjolfsson and Raj Chetty. AI has the potential to displace human workers from factories to offices An April analysis by the Boston Consulting Group estimated that roughly half of U.S. jobs will be reshaped by AI over the next few years. The analysis said that as many as 25 million jobs could be eliminated in the U.S. over the next five years. Goldman Sachs, in March, separately released an estimate that a quarter of U.S. work hours could be automated by AI. More than just a glorified search engine or a generator of video clips and novelty images, AI could fill roads with driverless trucks, create factories staffed by robots and supplant office workers, lawyers and doctors. President Donald Trump has expressed little anxiety about the possibility of AI displacing human workers. Asked on Tuesday ahead of touring a Mack Trucks factory in Pennsylvania if AI could cause truckers to lose their jobs, Trump told a reporter, "Right now, they're not." The president has been banking on the buildout of AI data centers and power plants to drive hiring and overall economic growth. While AI-related investments have helped the economy, manufacturing has shed 68,000 jobs and the trucking transportation sector has cut 28,300 jobs since the start of Trump's second term, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. "We have, right now, so many jobs that are going to be available and the biggest problem we have is getting the people," Trump said. "So we're really doing spectacular."
Experts say education systems and labor policies aren't built for an AI economy AI experts have warned of gaps between the transformations that AI could create and a 20th century social safety net of unemployment insurance and four-year college that seems ill-prepared for the scope, scale and speed of the change. "AI is now disrupting multiple sectors simultaneously, faster than any institution can respond," said Vivienne Ming, a neuroscientist who has written the book, "Robot-Proof: When Machines Have all the Answers, Build Better People." Ming said that she agrees with an argument by economists that the wealth generated by AI could create demand for more workers that could offset any job losses. But she said the skills that matter in an AI economy go beyond professions such as plumbing or construction and involve curiosity and intellectual flexibility. "Neither our education system nor our labor policies are building the foundational human capital that AI-era work actually requires," she said. Raimondo said the new nonprofit wants to use states as a vehicle for testing ideas that Congress can later embrace as policies, paving the way for the possibility of more profound changes to both the tax code and the educational system. "I don't have a lot of hope for bold action by Congress in the next few years on this issue, and I don't think we can wait a few years," she said. "I also think there are many examples in history that when the federal government does take action, they will look around at what has been working in states. I feel pretty confident that they will look at the work that we've done."
Former Meta exec sues over attempts to ‘silence’ memoir, ‘Careless People’ By BARBARA ORTUTAY AP Technology Writer A FORMER Meta executive whose memoir, "Careless People," provides an explosive insider account of her time at the social media giant, has sued the company for attempting to “silence” her. The lawsuit, filed Thursday in federal court in Northern California, claims the tech giant’s private arbitration order barring her from speaking about the company or promoting her bestselling book is invalid. It also
argues that the severance agreement she signed when she left Meta, in which she agreed not to disparage the company, was done under duress. Sarah Wynn-Williams served as director of global public policy at Facebook, now operating under parent company Meta Platforms Inc., from 2011 until her firing in 2017. “Careless People” alleges cruel and otherwise disturbing behavior by CEO Mark Zuckerberg and other executives. It also describes Zuckerberg’s alleged efforts to win favor with Chinese
officials. Meta has countered that Wynn-Williams violated her agreement and wrote a book filled with inaccuracies. The lawsuit says Meta is seeking $50,000 in damages for each time Wynn-Williams purportedly violates the non-disparagement agreement, putting her under financial duress. She is asking the court to lift the arbitration order and vacate her severance agreement with the company. Meta said in a statement that its "former employee is trying to use the legal process to sell books, which
Sarah Wynn-Williams an arbitrator already ruled broke the agreement she signed with the company when she accepted a large severance payment years ago. Her book is divorced from reality.”
LONDON (AP) — WhatsApp users will soon get the option of going by usernames instead of phone numbers, the company said Monday, announcing plans to address a privacy blind spot. The app said it has started allowing users to reserve unique usernames, which can be used to contact WhatsApp users when the feature is launched later this year. WhatsApp, which says it has more than 3 billion users globally, has until now allowed users to be contacted by anyone who has their phone number. The app, owned by Meta Platforms, said in a blog post that over the “coming months” users will get the option to be found and contacted only by their username, and not their number. It wasn't more specific about the timeline. “We have designed this as a core privacy feature,” Alice Newton-Rex, WhatsApp's vice president of product, told reporters. There won't be a directory of usernames on the app, and the app won't suggest names as you type. “People will need to know your exact username to contact you for the first time,” she said.
South Korean tech giants to build a $518 billion chipmaking hub to serve soaring AI demand By KIM TONG-HYUNG Associated Press SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean tech giants Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix said Monday they will invest a combined 800 trillion won ($518 billion) in building a new computer chipmaking hub in the country’s southwest region, capitalizing on surging artificial intelligence -driven demand. President Lee Jae Myung joined the companies’ chairs Monday in announcing the plan, which dovetails with the government’s efforts to expand investment beyond the greater Seoul metropolitan area, the country’s economic center and heart of its semiconductor sector. The southwest has been a particular focus, as it lacks major industrial hubs and has historically trailed in economic development. The region has long been a political base for Lee’s liberal Democratic Party. Samsung and SK Hynix, which together produce about two-thirds of the world’s memory chips, said they will each build two fabrication plants in the southwest, expanding beyond their existing manufacturing complexes in Gyeonggi Province, south of Seoul. Samsung Chairman Lee Jae-yong said the company’s new fabs will be built in the southwestern city of Gwangju, where experts have proposed several potential sites, including the grounds of a military air base slated for relocation.
Supreme Court rules constitutional privacy protections apply to cellphone users' location history By MARK SHERMAN Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court held Monday that constitutional privacy protections extend to cellphone location information, ruling in the case of a bank robber whose identity was discovered through a geofence warrant. Justice Elena Kagan wrote for the 6-3 court that people don’t forfeit expectations of privacy even when they opt into Google’s location history. “A cellphone user is not to be viewed as sharing private information with third parties—which then can be freely passed on to the government—just by doing the ordinary things cellphone users do,” Kagan wrote. Justice Samuel Alito wrote in dissent that Okello Chatrie had no expectation of privacy in information he voluntarily turned over to Google. The decision is the court’s latest effort to apply a constitutional provision ratified in 1791 to technology the nation’s founders could not have envisioned.
PAGE 10, Wednesday, July 1, 2026
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Forecasters cite ‘dangerous’ conditions as intense heat scorches Midwest while on its way to the East By ED WHITE Associated Press NATURE’S oven was on high Tuesday for millions of people in the Midwest and Great Lakes states as intense heat and humidity baked the regions with no immediate relief before the misery shifts to the eastern US. The National Weather Service was blunt: Conditions were “dangerous” as the heat index, a combination of air temperature and humidity, exceeded 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Celsius) in some areas. It warned about a risk for heat-related illnesses, especially among people without air conditioning. Detroit’s air temperature was in the high 90s, the Weather Service said, and could even reach 100
at some point through Thursday. The city said a dozen recreation centres were open, some until 11 p.m., for people to cool off. Big chunks of Michigan, as well as Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and much of Iowa, were under an extreme heat warning. The Northeast, including New York City and Boston, will next feel major heat through the Fourth of July holiday. Norristown, Pennsylvania, 20 miles (32 kilometres) from Philadelphia, cancelled a Saturday parade because of the weather. Philadelphia declared a heat emergency, Wednesday through Saturday, and said 50 cooling centres will operate with extended hours. The city said visitors will find misting tents, water refill
stations and medical stations at the free World Cup fan festival at East Fairmount Park. When the heat’s on, people adjust The Chicago History Museum offered free admission to state residents who wanted a cool space Tuesday. Roads in a few places in Illinois buckled under the heat. When the surface has no room to expand in the heat, it can rise and crack. At 9:15 a.m., window washer Stephen Mason, 72, was wiping mayflies off glass at a Detroit convenience store. He got an early start to avoid the worst conditions of the day, but it was already 85 (29.4 C). “It’s the only way to beat it. But it’s already starting to cook out here,” Mason said.
Adam Schubatis, 36, a runner who was shirtless in Detroit’s Indian Village neighbourhood, said he was cutting his route to 6 miles (9.6 kilometres). “I know where all the drinking fountains are,” he said. “My wife thought I was crazy. She offered to pick me up if I got tired or if there was anything I was doing that wasn’t safe.” A dog’s day can be ‘miserable’ In Milwaukee, more than 100 firefighters spent hours controlling a fire at a school in the extreme heat. Fire Chief Aaron Lipski said crews were rotating and shedding their thick coats
while they rehydrated. Overnight low temperatures were in the 70s (21-26.7 C) in many places, which doesn’t give the body a chance to cool down naturally, said Dr. Kisha Davis, health officer for Montgomery County, Maryland. “The heat stress will compound day after day,” said Davis, who added that alcohol and soda, popular holiday drinks, are dehydrating. In Jackson, Mississippi, where the afternoon heat index exceeded 100 F (37.7 C), massive fans tried to keep about 100 dogs cool at an old mattress warehouse that serves as a shelter for Community Animal
Rescue and Adoption. “It’s miserable. … We try to keep everybody hydrated back there. Dogs and people,” said kennel manager Raquel Burney. Cooling it forward George Liller, 64, was a hero in Grosse Pointe Park, a Detroit suburb. He added air conditioning to his home, so he offered a window unit for free on Facebook — extension cord and remote control included. “It was probably on my porch maybe 15 minutes,” Liller said. “That air conditioner was given to me. I thought, ‘Somebody needs it.’ I know how it feels to be in an old house when it’s this hot.”
AID GROUPS WARN VENEZUELA’S HEALTHCARE SYSTEM IS NEAR ITS LIMIT AFTER EARTHQUAKES
AN AERIAL view of Caraballeda, La Guaira state, Venezuela, yesterday, in the aftermath of back-toback earthquakes. Photo: Miguel Medina/AP VENEZUELA Associated Press AID groups warned Tuesday that Venezuela’s fragile healthcare system is being pushed to its limits nearly a week after two powerful earthquakes, with damaged and understaffed hospitals getting overwhelmed by the injured and infectious diseases flaring in the disaster zone. Meanwhile, the number of official rescues has dropped dramatically in the last three days, the government said, from 5,380 people saved in the first two days after the quakes to just four people found alive Monday by authorities. The prime window for finding earthquake survivors is typically 48 to 72 hours, but it is possible to survive longer depending on factors such as temperature and access to water or food. The sole survivor rescued by Tuesday afternoon
was a toddler who had been trapped for six days under a collapsed building, said Jorge Rodríguez, the president of the National Assembly. Those numbers do not include the many rescues carried out across the country by volunteer groups that, frustrated with the government’s sluggish response, scrambled to save their trapped loved ones days before the arrival of expert international teams. The government puts the death toll at over 1,900. Experts say that is a significant undercount as more bodies are hauled from the rubble every day and morgues struggle to handle the influx. Among the living, a humanitarian crisis is unfolding. United Nations agencies estimated on Tuesday that the earthquake amassed 1.2 million tons of debris of destroyed buildings and belongings. They expressed concern about the health effects of thousands of displaced people sleeping for days in the open or in crowded, unsanitary shelters. A healthcare system in crisis
hospitals nationwide. WHO said it so far has evaluated 21 of those facilities, three of which are no longer operating. Another six have sustained damage and the rest are now buckling under the influx of injuries. Many specialist doctors are missing in the ruins, including officials in charge of maternity care in La Guaira, WHO said, compounding the challenges to healthcare in a country that 8 million people, including many doctors and nurses, have fled in recent years. “Findings reveal chaotic service delivery and patient flow, marked by overcrowding, growing surgical backlogs ... and a breakdown in biosafety measures,” Lindmeier said. An increased presence of nongovernmental organizations was noticeable Tuesday in La Guaira and adjacent communities, with tents from the Red Cross, the World Food Program and other organizations set up on sidewalks, waterfront esplanades and athletic facilities. People lined up throughout the day under the blistering sun to receive free toiletries, food, medications and face masks.
The Venezuelan healthcare system, strained by decades of underinvestment and years of economic crisis is “under extreme pressure now, with facilities operating beyond the capacity of the surge of the trauma cases,” said World Health Organization spokesperson Christian Lindmeier at a media briefing in Geneva. Venezuelan officials say that more than 15,800 people have been affected by the earthquakes — a figure that reflects the official number of displaced people, UN refugee agency spokesperson Carlotta Wolf said Tuesday. Newly homeless Venezuelans are sleeping in cars, parks and elsewhere. Wolf said that number would continue to rise. Many of those displaced in the hardest-hit state of La Guaira, just outside the capital of Caracas along the coast, are suffering from widespread food shortages, she said. Without access to toilets, showers or soap, displaced Venezuelans have also become increasingly vulnerable to the outbreak of preventable diseases like measles, given the population’s low vaccination rates, Lindmeier said, adding that conditions are ripe for waterborne infections such as dengue, yellow fever and malaria to spread. According to the government, last week’s earthquakes damaged or otherwise compromised 38
With the government tight-lipped about victims and survivors and offering no official count of missing people, ordinary Venezuelans are struggling to find relatives. Many have turned to WhatsApp groups and nongovernmental digital databases to report their loved ones as missing. One such registry listed at least 43,220 people as missing. In his daily televised casualty update, Jorge Rodríguez, brother of interim President Delcy Rodríguez, said that the official toll stood at 1,943 people killed and 10,571 injured as of Tuesday, urging the public to share only government information. But his numbers left thousands of Venezuelans unaccounted for. He said the government estimated there were around 30,000 people in the hardest-hit parts of La Guaira state at the time of the earthquake, and that around 20,000 of them managed to escape the area or were later rescued. NASA estimates that nearly 59,000 buildings have been damaged or destroyed by the earthquakes, which would put the number of people affected by the quakes in the hundreds of thousands. The UN children’s agency, UNICEF, on Tuesday said 680,000 children are in need of humanitarian assistance nationwide.
A struggle to grasp the true toll
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Wednesday, July 1, 2026, PAGE 11
THE ENTRANCE to the International Bazaar in Freeport, Grand Bahama.
Govt expects to acquire International Bazaar within next ten days By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Staff Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net GRAND Bahama Minister Ginger Moxey said the government expects to complete the acquisition of the long-abandoned International Bazaar within ten days, ending a complex process involving 13 owners and clearing a major hurdle for the proposed Afro-Caribbean marketplace project in Grand Bahama. Speaking with reporters outside Cabinet yesterday, Mrs Moxey said the government has reached an agreement with the owners of the property, which has been in decline for more than 20 years. "There was one holdout, and the process of payment
should begin over the next 10 days or so," she said. The property was appraised several years ago at $2.88m. Mrs Moxey said the acquisition forms part of a broader plan to develop the Afro-Caribbean marketplace, a proposed economic development project featuring pavilions representing 55 African countries, 20 Caribbean nations and the islands of The Bahamas. She said the project is intended to function not only as a tourism attraction, but also as a logistics hub for goods imported from Africa and the Caribbean for redistribution to international markets. Mrs Moxey said a board has already been
established for the initiative under a company called ACMLC Grand Bahama Limited. She said the project has secured a $1.86m project preparation facility from Afreximbank to fund architectural and design work, environmental assessments, feasibility studies and other preparatory work. The minister also said the government has acquired the Harcourt property, which includes the Princess Tower and casino, for $1m. She said the government has secured 4.365 acres of land along West Sunrise Highway for $1 to facilitate the reopening of the road. She said Grand Bahama residents have been calling for the road to reopen for almost 20 years.
A MASSIVE fire destroys a part of the International Bazaar in 2022.
Photo: Sharon Turner
PAGE 12, Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Third Annual Food Truck Festival at Taino Beach, Grand Bahama THE MINISTRY of Tourism hosted its Third Annual Food Truck Festival at Taino Beach on Saturday. The event featured more than 17 food trucks, live entertainment and family-friendly games and activities creating a lively atmosphere for residents and visitors alike. Photos: Danielle Rollon/BIS
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